Gold Extends Rally After Yellen Comments

Silver edged up, and miners surged across the board

Gold gained for a fifth consecutive session after new Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen told congress that the Fed would continue to taper its monthly bond-buying, suggesting that the central bank anticipates future U.S. economic growth. Yellen’s comments also sent U.S. stock markets higher.

Yellen’s comments were delivered before the House Financial Services Committee. Markets were also bolstered during the day after Congressional Republicans dropped opposition to a “clean” bill to raise the U.S. debt limit, avoiding another potentially-crippling fiscal showdown with the White House.

Gold futures for April delivery jumped 1.2% to $1,289.80 per ounce on Tuesday, according to CME Group. Gold traded as high as $1,294.40 and as low as $1,273.50. Bullion closed in London at $1,292, according to BullionVault.

Silver futures for March delivery inched up 0.2% to $20.15 per ounce. Tuesday’s high for silver was $20.29, while the low was $19.92.